Sir John Soane's Museum
Lincoln's Inn Fields, London
Opened in the early nineteenth century, Sir John Soane’s Museum is the oldest centre for the study of architecture in Britain. The core aim of the Museum, and of its learning policy, is to introduce the public to architecture. In recent years the Museum – which has always offered a weekly tour of the building by a curator – has developed an energetic programme of activities, aimed at scholarly and general audiences. It arranges specialised study groups and individual lectures, generally by architects, and introductory talks on its exhibitions. Talks in the Library are given for a variety of audiences including GCSE and A-level school groups studying History, Geography and Art; undergraduate and postgraduate groups with a particular interest in architecture or architectural drawing; and on the theme of the Enlightenment for the Open University (with which the Museum collaborates closely). The Museum also offers tours for special groups, and takes a particular interest in local history groups as well as National Trust volunteers.
For schools, special programmes are offered at KS2 for schools who study architecture and building construction. Schools can select their own area of interest from such subjects as bridges, shape and pattern, the tools of the trade, domes, and light (a favourite topic, which features in the National Curriculum). Although its confined space at present limits the numbers it can welcome, the Museum aims to make its programmes as socially inclusive as possible, and has developed special relationships with schools in Hackney.
The Museum’s work will be extended when 14 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which is currently being converted for museum use, opens to visitors. The house will contain a Children’s Education Unit in the basement, an accessible model room, and an historic furnished room on the first floor. This will be used for a variety of activities including a six-week summer school, aimed at professionals in architecture and design. The Museum also has writers and artists in residence. UK
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